Archaeologists are lamenting the destruction of a 105-year-old wall in Phuket’s old town. The wall was cleared to make way for a development project and the developer said that the land was acquired legally.
Historic wall demolished in Old Phuket Town
Phuket Gazette, 12 February 2009
A 105-year-old Sino-Portuguese wall in Phuket’s old town was demolished by construction workers on February 3 to make way for commercial buildings.
The wall, on Krabi Rd, had formed the perimeter of Prapitak Chinpracha estate, built in 1904.
On February 3, Capt Bunyarit Chaisuwan, an archaeologist at the Fine Arts Region 15 Office in Phuket, received a report that part of the wall had already been demolished.
He called project owner Wisit Ittiwarapornkul and tried to persuade him to halt the destruction, saying the wall was of historic interest and was protected by law.
Despite this, the wall was completely demolished later that day. Capt Bunyarit reported the incident at Phuket City Police Station, where it was recorded in the daily log.
